Apparatus for treating poles



Get., 12,19% I 1,602,400

' a s.r ELUCQTT APPARATUS FOR TREATING POLES Filed May 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /7 www@ ct. 12 1926. LZAO E. B. ELLlcoTT APPARATUS FOR TREATING POLES Filed May e. 1925 2 sheefnS-neetl z ietented l2, 15926.

EDWARD B. ELLICOTT,

APEARATUS FOR IRATINGV POLES.

Application led May 8,

This vinvent-ion relates to apparatus for treating timber, more particularly for treating poles and the like with a preservative.

The time required for the treatment, has been cut down from a period of twenty hours to only six hours. This is accomplished by treating each pole individually in a ,separate container and providing each container with a steam jacket which surrounds that portion of it as contains the preservative fluid. rlhe steam jacket makes the preservative along the active portion, more fluid and thereby permits it to penetrate into the wood more readily. j

`Another feature of the invention is the provision of a novel means to facilitate insertion and removal of poles ont of their re spective containers. This'result is achieved by providing means for swinging the containers out of the vertical position in which they must be placed for treating the poles, into a horizontal position, in which position they may be more easily removed from their containers. By providing the ends of the containers with caps that may be opened and closed, insertion and removal of the pole is permitted and the preservative inlet and drain line is preferably connected in through one of these caps.

Anotherfeature is the provision of preservative, pressure and exhaust lines and connections that will permit the swingable movement of the container, `and I provide novel apparatus for treating a part only of the pole, as desired. Still another feature ofthe present invention is the provision of a battery .of containers which may vary in numberl in raccordance with the requirement for each particular case. By this provision any number of poles may be treated simultaneously.

This invention has also certain other fea tures which are highly advantageous; such as simplicity of construction and a comparatively `low manufacturing cost, which will become more apparent during the course or" the following detailed descriptionL taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal end view of the, apparatus taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2 showing the manner of positioning` and making connection to same when a pole is being treatet in full lines, and in dotted lines the OF CHCAGO, ILLINOIS.

1925. serial No. 28,867.

position of the container when it is to be inserted or removed; and

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 showing the mannery of mounting the individual containers when they are tobe used in groups or in battery formation. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the container or tube which is provided at both ends with the air tight caps 2 and 8. Cap 2 is hinged to the container, as shown at L1, and is provided with locking means 5 for securing it tightly to the container after a pole has been inserted therein. Likewise cap 8 is also hingedly connected to the container as indicated at 6, and is also provided with a` means 7 for locking it to the container 1 when a'pole is to, be removed or inserted therein. The bottom cap 2, however, is also provided with an opening into which a pipe 78 may be fitted for supplying the preservative into kand draining it 'out of the container 1. This pipe 7 8 is provided with a union so that connection may be'made there-v to as by means of the flexible hose S, which in turn is connected to a pipe 9, which forms the main preservative supply and, outlet pipe. The connections between the pipe 78 of the'` remaining containers are made by means ofthe pipe line 7 9.y rlhe pipe 9 may be `controlled by a valve 10. A pipe con-l nection is also made to each container which is substantially adjacent the cap 2. rllhis connection is indicated in the drawing .by the numeral 11' and is used for connecting` the vacuum line 12 to the container, which connection is completed through the use of the flexible hose 13. By means of the T connections 73, the individual pipe connections from each container are connected to each other through the pipe 76. The valve 1e serves to. connect the pipe 12 with the exhaust line when the air is to be exhausted out of the container. i

A steam jacket 15, which serves to keep the preservative in a fluid condition to permit it to more readily penetrate the wood, is mounted on the container a little above the pipe connection 11. To the Lipper and lower portions of the steam jacket 15 are fitted the pipe'connections 16 and 17 which serve as the inlet and outlet,A respectively, for the steam which is circulated through the jacket.'

vrI he inlet member 16 is connected by means sov of a flexible hose 2O to the pipe line 18, the steam supply in which is controlled by the valve 19. rThe pipe connection 17 is connected in a similar manner by means of the hose 21 to the exhaust steam line 22. A valve 23 may serve to regulate the amount of exhaust steam flowing out through the line 22. A gage 24 may be provided ior indicating the height of the preservative fluid in the container, and a thermometer 25 may be mounted on the jacket 15 to indicate the temperature of the oil or other fluid therein. The pipes 74 and 77 serve to connect the separate containers with the inlet and exhaust steam lines by means of pipes 16 and 17 which are connected to the pipes 74 and 77 by means of the ties 71 and 72, respectively. From the foregoing, it will be observed that the structure will be substantially the same no matter how many containers are used. The valves 19, 23, 14 and 10 simultaneously control the fluid medium which passes into or `out of each ot the separate pieces of apparatus. Hence, any number of such pieces orA pole treating apparatus may be set up in the battery formation as shownr in Fig. 2 as may be deemed practicable.

Although not necessary, it is preferable to have each container mounted so that its lower portion may be swung into and out of the pit 26. This is accomplished by securing a block member 27 adjacent one wall or' the pit 26 and pivotally mounting the container thereon by the mounting means 28. The mounting means may be made either integral with the jacket 15, or it may consist of a separate member which is clamped to the jacket 15 or the container itself, and pivoted to the block member 27, as at 75. The pit 26 is also wide enough to receive the pipe lines and to permit the connections between the individual pieces of pole 'treating apparatus to be readily made. A suitable frame 29 is provid-ed over the pit, on which may be mounted a drive shaft for swinging the containers. Along the top of this frame also extends a pipe line 30 which is connected to the container 1 by means of the hose member 31. A/liir under pressure may be admitted into the pipe line 30 from a pipe or conduit 80 having a control valve 38 and at the proper time it Hows y into the container 1 and serves to force the preserving liquid into the pole under treatment to thoroughly impregnate the pole with the preservative. A connection similar to the one designated by the numeral 31 in Fig. 1 may also be providedfor the other containers.

A flexible cable 32 is fastened to a band 33ers the container 1 and is taken up by a container when it is in the horizontal position. The shaft 34 may be ournaled in bearings 83 and the flexible elements may be trained individually over idler sheavesl or pulleys 85.

The device operates as tollows1 A piece ol timber r pole which has irst been treated in the manner described in my co-pending application Serial No. 62,822, filed October 16, 1925 placed in the container 1 when it is in the horizontal position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. This is done by loosening the locking member 5 and permitting the cap 2 to be swung away 'from 'the opening about the hinge 4. lWhen the pole is inserted, the cap is again placed over the opening and secured tightly thereon by means ot the locking member The container tube is then swung about the pivot means 28 by means ot the flexible cable 32 and the driving member 35 until it reaches the vertical position shown in Fig. 1. The flexible hose connections between the main pipes and their connection with the pipes 74, 76, 77 and 7 9 permits this swinging movement. Articulated conduit joints or other provisions for doing this are also contemplated. The flexible member 31 may then be connected to the container, but the compressed air supply thereto is shut olf by keeping the valve 38 closed. By 'opening valve 14, the container is directly connected with the exhaust lines which creates a vacuum within it. When the vacuum within the container reaches the desired point, the valve 14 may be closed and the valve 10 is opened so that preservative liquidV may now enter the container tube through the hose 8 and the cap 2. The height et the preservative liquid in the container tube may be ascertained by means of the gage 24, and when the desired height or level is reached, the valve 10 is closed. The height 'ot the preservative level is preferably such that the lou/'er or butt ends of the poles only are L.reated, although it is to be understood that a greater length or even the entire pole may be treated should it for any reason become desirable.

The next thing is to apply pressure on the preservative liquid so as to torce it into the pole. This is done by opening valve 38 so that compressed air may be admitted into the container through the flexible hose connection 31. At the same time the valves 19 and 2O are opened so that steam may enter the jacket 15 and keep the liquid in a highly i'luid condition by heating it, therebv permitting it to be forced into the openings in the wood. more readly. After a period of about siX hours, the pole will be impregnated with the preservative fluid to the desired depth. The valves 38, 19 and 23 are then shut oliU and the valve 10 is opened. By opening valve 1() at this time, the preserva- Euh tive liquid in the container will be drained out of it. The flexible hose member 3l is then disconnectedtrom `the container, and the container may then be lowered back into its horizontal position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l to permit removing the pole by again opening the cap 2. Removal or" the ypole from the container mayl also be had at the opposite end thereof by .opening the cap 3.

Although reference has herein been made to a single container, it is to be understood thatthe same procedure and mode of operation is applicable when a plurality oit containers are used Ain battery formation as shown in Fig. 2.

The pivotal mounting of the container, together with the provision for raising and lowering the container about its pivotal mounting, expedites insertion and removal of the pole or timber and at the same time permits positioning the container vertically with the lower end in the pit adjacent the preservative supply and drain and the steam and exhaust connections. I have also provided connections which will permit this pivotal movement of the container to vertical position for treatment ot the pole and to horizontal position for insertion and removal ot the pole.

rIhe end caps close ott' the opposite ends of the container and permit removal or insertion of the pole from either end. The connection of the preservative supply and drain line to the cap whichy is at the bottom whenthe container is in vertical position, is ad-r vantageous and exposes the inner end ot the preservative supply and inlet line when said cap is opened. The surrounding steam or heating fluid acltet maintainsthe preservative fluid along the portion oit the pole being treated and maintains the same properly heated during the treating process.

I do not wish to be limited to vthe details shown or described.

1. In combination, a trame, a hoisting means mounted thereon, a pivotally mounted container, and means connecting said container at a point above its pivotal mounting with said hoisting means Jfor raising said container from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

2. In combination, a frame, a hoisting means mounted thereon, a pivotally mounted container, means connecting said container at a pointabove its pivotal mounting with said hoisting means, and steam, preservative, and drain connections to said container be,- low its pivotal mounting.

3. In a `device of the class described, a sleeve, caps for closing the ends of the sleeve, an external steam jacket on the outside ot the sleeve leaving the ends and interior of the `sleeve completely unobstructed, and a pivotaly mounting for the sleeve between its ends. f

4. In combination, a trame, a hoisting means thereon, a member adjacent the base of said 'frame yat one side thereof, and a receptacle ytor a pole pivoted on said member, said receptacle being operatively connected to said hoisting means for swinging said receptacle and pole therein from horizontal position to a substantially vertical position and vice versa, the lower end of said receptacle when the frame is at vertical position being adapted to extend below the bottom of said member into a pit adjacent thereto.

5. In combination, a receptacle tor a pole,

a mounting therefor pivoted thereto and` adapted to permit horizontal and vertical movement of said receptacle, and means for admitting a preservative to said ,receptacle and withdrawing said preservative therefrom, the lower end ot said receptacle being adaptedto extend below the base ot said mounting when said receptacle is in vertical position.

6. In a device ot the class described, a sleeve adapted to receive a pole therein, caps for closing the ends of said sleeve, an external steam jacket on the outside ot said sleeve,

an'd a pivotal mounting tor the sleeve.

7. In combination, a container adapted to receive a pole therein, means tor closing the vends of said container after said pole has vbeen received therein, means tor admit- .tinga preservative fluid in the'lower end of said container, the length of said container being sutliciently great to receive a pole therein which will sink' to the bottom ot said preservative of its own weight, means for creating a pressure above said fluid in the container, and a support tor said container adapted to hold the same in a substantially vertical position during application ot the preservative.

8. In combination, an elongated container adapted to receive a pole therein, removable covers tor the ends of said container, means for admitting a preservative fluid in the lower end of said container, the length of said container being suiliciently great to receive a pole Vtherein which will sink to the bottom of said preservative ot its own weight, means tor creating a pressure above said fluid in the container, anda support :tor said container adapted to hold the same in a substantially vertical position during application of vthe preservative.

9. In combination, an elongated container adapted to receive a pole therein, means for closing the ends of said container after said pole has been received therein, means tor admitting a preservative uid in the lower end of said container, the length of said container being suiiicientlyI great to receive a pole therein ,which will sink to the bottom ot said preservative ot its own weight, and

e pivotal mounting for said container for swinging said Container from a horizontal position to o vertical position and vice versa.

l0. in combination, e. container :for receiving' a tiinher, ineens for supporting the container in e plurality of different positions, means 'for Creating :i partial vacuum in said container, nie-ns for admitting e preservative fluid into said container when it is in a given position, heating Ineens carried by the container for maintaining 'the preservative therein in a fluid state to cause same to penetrate the tiinber in the container, and means for creating a pressure upon the preservative in the container to agitate said preservative, said support for the container including a pivotal mounting located nearer to one end of the container than the other.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe iny naine this 6th day of May, 1925.

EDWARD B. ELLICOTT. 

